Jul. 14, 2012

Paul and Audrey Poberezny. Photo courtesy of EAA.

Written by

Jessica Opoien

of The Northwestern

For Paul Poberezny, the last 60 years have gone by "in the blink of an eye."

The Experimental Aircraft Association, which he and his wife, Audrey, founded in the basement of their Hales Corner home in 1953, has gone "from a handful of us building airplanes, to a worldwide organization that's touched lives all over the world," Poberezny said.

When the first EAA Fly-in Convention was held at Curtiss-Wright Airport in Milwaukee in September 1953, Poberezny and his fellow organizers never envisioned that it would reach the levels it has today. Last year, EAA reported more than 541,000 people attended AirVenture over the course of the seven-day event, and more than 10,000 aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport and other airports in the area. EAA boasts more than 1,000 chapters around the world.

This year, to celebrate the 60th annual fly-in, EAA will present several displays illustrating the contributions the Pobereznys have made over the years.

"Probably the most important modern-day contribution is all these wonderful people we were able to harness for a real good cause," Poberezny said, adding how glad he is that the movement brings people from all over the world to Oshkosh.

He sometimes worries, though, that people in the community might take AirVenture, and all the visitors who flock to Oshkosh for the event, for granted since it's been a staple of the community for so long.

"There are people from Japan, Australia, New Zealand, that save for years just to pay for a ticket to come here," Poberezny said. "Sometimes you're so close, you don't see that part of it."

AirVenture serves as an opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to get together, exchange ideas and see what others have accomplished, Poberezny said, adding that many people never realized they could build an airplane until the organization was founded.

"When you put people in a good environment for a cause, putting hands and minds at work to design or create, there's so much people can do," he said.

AirVenture creates a common bond of goodwill, Poberezny said, adding that it has been a clean, down-to-earth, family-friendly event from day one. The kids he saw at early AirVenture events with their families are now grandparents, bringing their own families to Oshkosh.

Looking to the future, Poberezny said he sees EAA and AirVenture growing "constantly," and hopes the event doesn't outgrow the facilities it currently occupies.

The field has changed significantly since Poberezny was a high school student learning how to rebuild an airplane in 1938. There are more restrictions on flight than ever, in the name of safety and security. Dealing with those restrictions presents a challenge, but Poberezny said he sees a good future for aviators.

"If you love something quite a bit, you'll find a way," Poberezny said, adding that he is thankful for the good working relationship he's had with the Federal Aviation Administration over the years.

For Poberezny, EAA is about more than just the machines, and even more than the experience of flight. For him, it's about the people.

"We're not only building airplanes, but building human beings with higher moral standards and togetherness, through aviation," Poberezny said.